A Latvian fisherman was three times over the legal drink-drive limit when he took a friend’s moped and fatally crashed it, an inquest heard today (Thursday).

Andris Zakis had come to Wales to work on the boat, Crusader, fishing out of Fishguard Harbour.

On the morning of July 19th the 30-year-old father had started drinking aboard the Crusader at 9am and carried on during a walk to a nearby view point.

Later that day, along with another crewman, he had gone to the Llanstadwell home of his boss, Timothy Bowman-Davies.

In a witness statement Mr Bowman Davies said it was clear that Mr Zakis had been drinking and that he was a “happy drunk”.

The two crewmen then went to a garage at Waterston where they met up with their boss’ son, Jake Bowman-Davies.

Mr Zakis asked for a ride on Mr Bowman-Davies’ 49cc moped. His crew mate told him not to, as he had been drinking, and Mr Bowman refused.

However when the other two men had their backs turned Mr Zakis took the vehicle. He was not wearing protective clothing or a helmet.

He rode out towards Blackbridge before making his way back to Waterston. While rounding a sharp bend he swerved into the oncoming lane, colliding with a white Misubishi pick-up truck.

In a witness statement the driver of the pick-up truck said he had seen the bike coming towards him on the wrong side of the road. He had manoeuvred away, but had been unable to avoid impact.

PC Stacey, forensic collision investigator for Dyfed-Powys Police, said that driving conditions had been good, the road surface was stable and there were no defects to either vehicle.

A post mortem recorded a blood alcohol level three times the legal drink drive limit and concluded that Mr Zakis had died of multiple injuries.

Pembrokeshire coroner, Mark Layton, concluded that: “Heavily under the influence of alcohol Mr Zakis took a moped for a ride without the owner’s consent. As a result of the level of alcohol, he lost control of the moped, colliding with an oncoming vehicle and sustaining fatal injuries.”